SWM Regime and Impacts of Solid Waste within the KDF

The current solid waste management regime within the KDF has had various impacts on the environment and human population in various ways that ultimately impact on safety. These categories of impacts as observed include the following:

5.2.2 Health Risks

During the field visits, it was observed that personnel are exposed to health risks from handling of domestic wastes. At one of the dumpsites, personnel did not wear protective clothing or other protective gear except for sterile gloves. 67% of respondents felt vulnerable to diseases and other health risks.

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Figure 14: Overall proportion of persons with feelings of vulnerability to diseases arising from the present handling of wastes in KDF bases

44% of the respondents also complained of pungent smells from the dumpsites impacting the air quality in the areas they lived. This number was especially high for families that lived close to the open dumpsite. In Langata barracks, it was noted that parents of children living in homes that were closest to the dumping sites complained of their children having persistent running noses. The nursing officer could however not however confirm if the two were related but did not rule out the possibility.

5.2.3 Human Wildlife Conflict

This problem was most apparent in Langata barracks which is situated next to the Nairobi National Park. The dump attracts wild animals from the park which cross the fence in search of food. Recent incidences of attacks by animals on children and women have been reported. A more recent case is of a child who was admitted at the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital (DFMH) after an attack by baboons.

One family interviewed indicated that it is no longer safe to let the children play by themselves since many warthogs have relocated to the dumpsite; these have in effect attracted other carnivores which follow the grazers for food. The officer has since lodged a complaint with the relevant camp authorities. In Embakassi Garrison, cases of snakes being killed near accommodation areas are reported on frequently. These move towards human settlement in search of rodents. A summary of all the respondents in the sampled units indicated 98% of respondents have come across wild animals within the camps; 48% have felt threatened by these in one way or another.

67% 32% 1% Vulnerable No serious threat Undecided OPINIONS ON VULNERABILITY TO DISEASES

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Figure 15: Human wildlife conflict as a result of waste disposal

5.2.3 Impact on Security

From the field survey, most respondents felt that though there were few incidences of insecurity relating to the dump sites, the potential for this occurring in the near future was high. 23 respondents among those interviewed reported having encountered waste pickers that had trespassed into military land to scavenge for plastics, glass and other waste they could sell to recyclers. Reported incidences that were related to the dumpsites included break-ins, burglary and trespass. In Langata barrack and MAB, there was reported incidence of shooting by prowler guards with 3 fatalities reported on suspected burglars. 54% of respondents felt that potential of security risk increasing as a result of increasing uncontrolled waste disposal was high.

48 12 79 26 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 1 Proportion of r esp ond ents Nature of threat Threatened by wild animals

Attacked by wild animals Vandalism by animals No encounters HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT

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A major concern in terms of safety arose from hazardous wastes, particularly unexploded ordinances within and around the training areas. During the field visits, it was observed that the areas where reported incidences occurred were approximately 6Km away from the shooting range. It was also established that the KDF shooting range is used for only small arms firing which could not explain the rising incidences of UXOs around the Ngong area.

On further enquiry, locals indicated that the area was used for military training during the early 60’s by the British Royal Air-force and the British infantry. During this time according to the area Chief, the land was sparsely populated and the rocky outcrops as the one shown in the photo below provided sufficient areas for target practice.It was also reported that the General Service Unit GSU, has been using the area for training as late as the 80’s prior to migration of the population.

Prior to the UXO incidence that claimed the lives of 4 children and the subsequent Operation KingaMaisha, the area chief stated during the interview that most of the residents used UXOs and empty cartridge shells as pestle and mortar to prepare traditional medicines. 98% of the respondents in Ngong felt that their environment was not safe and strongly suspected that their environment, especially areas around the ridge lines and rock outcrops, still had several UXOs.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Proportion of r esp ond ents Nature of threat

SAFETY THREATS FROM WASTE

DISPOSAL

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Plate 26: Some of the rocky outcrops feared by locals to still contain UXOs

An interview with KDF officers indicated that the UXO incidences were common in other training areas for several reasons:



Lack awareness and sensitization among the locals on UXOs and how to avoid accidents

aggravates the situation. The area chief reported during the interview that prior to the recent

occurrence several members of the community used UXOs and expended bomb cartridge

shells as mortar and pestles for grinding traditional medicine.



Areas where the British Army conducts field exercises have been determined to have

more UXOs among other environmental impacts. This has necessitated the KDF to sign a

revised MOU with the British Army which takes into consideration environmental aspects of

the exercise.



Trespass into military training land by community members in search of water, pasture

land and firewood increases chances of people encountering UXOs and raises chances of

explosions and injuries as a result.

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CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS